Chapter 41
Braxton
The warmth of the sun tickled my face, arousing me from one of the best nights I have ever spent, and it’s all because of my mate. I was lying on my back with Nyah sleeping comfortably on my chest. I kissed the top of her head as the last thing I remembered from the night before was me purposely using my dick as a barrier to keep my seed from seeping from her.
Whether it was through our bond or not, something triggered me and my wolf that Nyah was coming in to heat soon. We didn’t know when, but when the time came, she would be filled with my soldiers.
Honestly, I didn’t care if our first born was male or female. I just wanted them to be healthy. From the ancestral blood that flows through Nyah and I, our children will be revered as royalty.
We have shown from our union, the Midnight and Lunar packs are willing to stand together against any adversaries. I know they would do the same in keeping our future children safe.
“Are you up?” Nyah asked, sitting up herself so she could look into my eyes.
“I am.”
She used her fingertips to skim along my left side. “Breakfast should be ready soon; we should probably get up and start heading back.”
I groaned, squeezing her tighter in my arms. “Do we have to? I love being in our own little bubble here.”
She giggled. “I do too, babe. Being in this special place with you has brought me so much peace. I wish we could stay here forever, but we do have to go back to the real world. Plus, we already agreed after breakfast, we would go and check on the hotel. Not to mention we need to begin preparing for the war.” She lowered her head and kissed my chest, then lightly bit it.
A low growl left me before I said, “Fine, but once all this shit is over with, we are going to be tightly secured in our bubble. It might sound selfish of me, but I want you all to myself for a period I deem suitable, whether it’s one or two weeks, or a month. Are you okay with that?”
Nyah smiled. “I am perfectly fine with it and I’m good with the month because I think we’re going to need it.”
“You and me both,” I concurred, letting my arms fall to my sides for her to get up.
I hadn’t spoken to Nyah about it, but I had already been in touch with contractors and builders to recreate her grandmother’s cabin. Work was scheduled to begin the following week.
After getting up, we took the items we used back into the shed. I used the last of the water in the bucket to douse the fire. Once everything was clear, I gave Nyah a playful look.
“The last one to make it to your father’s house, has to do whatever the winner requests.”
She tilted her head, grinning. “Are you sure you want to do that?”
“Positive,” I replied, shifting into my wolf before taking off through the woods.
With Nyah and her destined wolf becoming one, I knew they would beat me and my wolf. I made the challenge because I wanted to see that beautiful black wolf again. And it didn’t take long for the wolf to catch up to me. As if taunting me, the wolf ran parallel with me, glancing at me with those radiant red eyes. She let out a snort before zooming past me as if I were standing still. I’m sure most male shifters would feel intimidated or less of a man because of that, but I was proud and honored. Just imagine how our destined wolves will be once we are together.
I arrived at the backyard a few seconds later than Nyah. Pack members were either in line to be served or sitting at the tables. Alpha Lightfeather, Kenia, and Levi were at his table, but I was surprised not to see my father or James with them. Still in my wolf form, I trotted to their table.
Levi spotted me first, then stood. He must have sensed what I was feeling because as an efficient Beta, he says, “Your father and my uncle took the remains of your mother and Megan back to Texas. They will return this evening before nightfall.”
Alpha Lightfeather adds, “As of now, we are on a sensitive time schedule. If there is anything you need to do after breakfast, I suggest that you do so because later today we start focusing on the fates of our Packs.”
I bow my head, before Nyah and I run to the back door of the house. I already had it set in my mind that even if my destined wolf and I hadn’t merged before the war, I would do everything possible to make sure that Nyah, Midnight, and Lunar Packs would come out victorious, even if it meant forfeiting my life. After getting cleaned up and dressed, Nyah and I joined the others for breakfast. I shook my head as Crown ran back and forth from Alpha Lightfeather and Nyah as they showered him with attention. The little deer definitely had the two of them wrapped around his hoof. I guess you can say he had me too because I couldn’t stop myself from rubbing the top of his head a few times.
Once breakfast was over, I told Alpha Lightfeather we needed to go to the hotel to check on the operations since we have been gone. He gave no objections, only reminding us about later today. Levi tried to convince Kenia to come with us, but she couldn’t because there were a few younger shifters who had come down with what she assumed was a summer cold she needed to see. I could tell that he really wanted her to come, but he understood her duties to the Pack. He gave her a peck on the lips, telling her he would see her soon. We said our goodbyes then left.
I held Nyah’s hand in the back seat while Levi drove. Not too long after, I noticed a shift in her demeanor. She would often nod or shake her head from side to side as if she was having a private conversation in her head. To my dismay, I couldn’t understand the words as I tried using our bond to tap in. I felt left out but relaxed, not wanting to upset my mate. Nyah was probably talking to her grandmother which was the reason why I couldn't decipher their words. I’m big on privacy, so if that were the case, how could I feel some type of way about it? I’ve learned the special relationship Nyah, and her grandmother had...or should I say have.
By the time we pulled up in front of the hotel, Nyah was in even better spirits. Obviously, her grandmother gave her some positive words.
Levi gets out, then comes and opens my door. I slid out, then helped Nyah. Hand in hand, we walk to the entrance like the power couple we are, being greeted by valet and security as Levi follows behind us. I smile seeing guests laughing and talking while occupying the seats in the lobby. Several are at the front counter either checking in or out. Through the windows of the café, I see the majority of the tables are filled. It’s apparent the staff has been handling things accordingly in our absence.
As we stroll towards the elevator, Lisa leaves the counter and approaches us.
“Excuse me, Mr. Hillard,” she starts but gets interrupted.
“It’s about time you finally fucking show up,” a female says behind us.
We turn around and see Fonda and Hanna standing there. Where the Hell did they come from?
“This is what I was trying to warn you about,” Lisa whispers, rolling her eyes.
“It’s fine, Lisa. You can return to your area,” I tell her.
“Yes, sir,” she returns before leaving.
I don’t know why these two are here but Nyah’s energy of agitation from their presence filters through me.
Keeping things professional, I ask, “Fonda and Hanna why are you here? You are no longer employees of the Hillard Hotel.”
Hanna, the one with all the mouth steps forward, holding out a manilla envelope. “We’re here to serve you a case of wrongful termination.”
“Is that right?” I questioned.
“Yes, it is,” she answers. “The way I see it, this situation can go one of two different ways, and the latter will not be a good look for you and your business.”
Nyah holds up her hand, stopping her. “Before we get into that, let’s take this into the conference room, away from the guests.”
“Fine,” Hanna smirks.
Levi waves over two more guards to join us. I don’t think Fonda and Hanna will try anything stupid, but he’s doing his job just in case.
On the ride up to the conference room in the elevator, Fonda and Hanna whisper amongst themselves, unbeknownst to them Nyah, Levi, and I can hear everything they are saying.
“He knows we have him by the balls,” Hanna tells Fonda. “I told you he would rather pay us off than having us go public and destroy his business.”
Fonda laughs. “You did and I’m ready to collect my money.”
“And we will. Just stick to the plan,” Hanna returns.
Nyah cuts her eyes at me with a sly smile when we reach our floor. As the door opens, she says, “I need to run to my office. I’ll join you all in a few minutes.”
“Somehow, I knew these two would eventually show back up, so have something for them that will slap these heifers in the face,” she communicates through our bond.
Ecstatic that we still have that link, I say, “Do what you need to, love. These two think they are about to get over on us. I can’t wait to see what you have.”
Acting normal, I tell Nyah, “Understood.” Call me petty but I couldn’t stop myself from putting on an open display of PDA by locking her in my arms and passionately kissing her.
Fonda sucks her teeth. “So, I got fired because I was attracted to you but...” she points to Nyah, “she gets away with doing the same thing?”
Nyah’s eyes roam over the woman before she steps out of the elevator and goes towards her office.
Ignoring Fonda’s question and not even turning around to address her, I instruct her and Hanna to follow me to the conference room.
As we enter, I take the seat at the head of the conference table with Levi standing behind me, Fonda, and Hanna sitting in the chairs on the right.
I know they didn’t have shit, but I chose to play along with their shenanigans. Steepling my hands, I ask, “Please tell me why we are here today. Hanna, you said there were only two ways this situation could go. What did you mean about that? From my standpoint, you two were let go for legitimate reasons.”
Hanna shakes her head. “No, you let us go because you fell under the spell of Nyah Lightfeather, who felt we were her competition to move up in the business.”
If there has ever been a reason for me to let my wolf loose to do bodily harm to a person, this is one of them. The only thing that is keeping me from doing so is my mate entering the room.
“I’m sorry for my delay,” Nyah says, walking to the left side of the table.
I stand, then pull out her chair. “There’s no need for you to apologize, we’ve just sat down,” I convey as she sits.
Going back to my seat, I ask Fonda and Hanna, “Again, why are we here today?”
Hanna replied, smiling with all her adult teeth showing, “As stated before, we’ve contacted our lawyers and after speaking with them, it has been determined that Fonda and I were wrongfully terminated. A representative from their law firm is to meet us here, but is running a little late, so we would like to wait for him to arrive before you open the contents of the envelope.”
Resting back in my chair I glance at Nyah and Levi, before focusing back on Hanna. “If that’s what you need.”
“It is,” Hanna curtly answers.
“Well, I don’t know how your lawyer conducts their business, but usually a reputable one will be here on time with his clients,” She tries to speak, but I hold up my hand, stopping her. “But under these circumstances, we’ll wait for your legal counsel.”
“If you know what’s best for you, you will,” Hanna barks as Fonda sits there, ready to co-sign on whatever came out of Hanna’s mouth.
“Levi, let security know downstairs that Hanna and Fonda’s lawyer should be arriving at any minute and to escort him up to the conference room.”